“ All babies do is eat , sleep , poop repeat ”, you ’ ll hear a thousand people tell you . What they don ’ t acknowledge is how quickly you can speed through that process and that , actually , your baby might not sleep at all if you ’ re not holding them . So if like me , you ’ re fortunate that your body recovers quickly enough to get back on your horse two weeks postbirth , you ’ re going to need assistance !
Before even considering riding , I made it to the yard a couple of times to see the horses . This allowed me to grow in confidence in making the journey alone with Mateo , doing our first nappy changes , as well as getting my boobs out for a feed away from home . Of course , when you ’ re breastfeeding in the hospital and when you first get home , it isn ’ t the well-rehearsed move you see people doing out and about . So , the first few times of trying to wiggle your boob through a zip in your top to feed your newborn can get you a little flustered . But like with those canter transitions , practice makes perfect or improves it and makes you more relaxed when performing it , at least !
Now only ten weeks after having Mateo , I ’ m fortunate to be back to regular lessons , schooling and jumping . I arrive in plenty of time before my lessons to feed Mateo before I get on , hoping that will allow him to last whilst I ride . Again all those “ eat , sleep , poo , repeat ” voices neglect to mention newborns feed on demand ; they are on no such schedule to work around your riding ! Once he ’ s fed , happily full and hopefully sleepy , I hand him over to a friend or the family member I ’ ve persuaded to join me at the yard . I ’ m very fortunate that the yard has a little judge ’ s box at C for them and Mateo to watch me ride , with shelter from the sun or rain . Then , if Mateo does decide he needs another feed before I ’ ve finished , I can hop off and feed him again , although so far , I haven ’ t had to ; this is the reason I ’ m not really hacking much or far at the moment . The fear he might need a feed when I ’ m halfway around the next village keeps me close to home , but I ’ m fortunate my sharer and yard friends have been hacking lots for me .
On the days I ’ m flying solo at the yard , I have mastered
ALTHOUGH HAVING A BABY CHANGES YOUR LIFE ENTIRELY AND YOUR TIME AT THE YARD ISN ’ T THE SAME AS IT WAS , HAVING CHILDREN DOESN ’ T HAVE TO MEAN YOU ’ LL NEVER RIDE AGAIN !
I HAVE BOOKED MYSELF ( AND MATEO ) INTO AN EVENT CAMP IN AUGUST AND HOPE TO GET TO A SHOW IN 4-5 WEEKS
the art of lunging with Mateo in a carrier . He falls asleep every time , and it ’ s basically a free gym class while squatting with him on my chest while putting Louie ’ s boots on ! However , I do have to remind myself that most people love babies , so if I don ’ t have anyone with me , I don ’ t have to do it all alone . Many people are over the moon if you ask them to hold the baby for a couple of minutes whilst you quickly grab your saddle or put your boots on .
Although having a baby changes your life entirely and your time at the yard isn ’ t the same as it was , having children doesn ’ t have to mean you ’ ll never ride again ! I have booked myself ( and Mateo ) into an event camp in August and hope to get to a show in 4-5 weeks . Yes , I am reliant on friends and family for support , but I ’ m so grateful to have horse time still whilst being a new Mum .
Adele & Mateo x www . aptcavalier . com
38 | MORE THAN A PET | November / December 2022